Looking for advice (New Cyclist)

I'm extremely interested in pursuing a goal of biking from Minneapolis to Duluth in the summer of 2013. Its a 166 mile bike ride, and I've done some research into it already. However, I am very new to the world of cycling and would love some advice from experienced cyclists, especially along the lines of:
How long should I train beforehand?
What's the best way to train?
What should I bring with?
How much should I eat/drink the night before?

This is the number one short-term goal I have right now, and I would really like some advice on how to achieve it